McAuliffe Vetoes LaRock’s Public Assistance Eligibility Legislation

Hamilton, VA – Today, Governor Terry
McAuliffe vetoed Del. Dave LaRock’s House Bill 2092, which would have required any
applicant for public assistance to undergo a full review of death records,
incarceration status, employment status, lottery winnings, and all income.

This common-sense anti-fraud initiative would have helped ensure that all
individuals applying for welfare benefits qualify by requiring the local
director or commissioner to use existing databases to verify each applicant’s
eligibility for public assistance by checking their identity, income, assets, death
records, lottery winnings, and correctional status.

Other states where this effort has been made exposed a significant number
of ineligible enrollees. For example, Illinois in 2010 audited their Medicaid
program and found over 14,000 deceased people on Medicaid rolls. Arkansas in
2014 took a look at their Medicaid rolls and found 3% were ineligible.

Delegate Dave LaRock stated, “The savings to Virginia taxpayers would be
significant, and this initiative demonstrates my commitment to responsible
management of taxpayer dollars by rooting out and eliminating waste, fraud, and
abuse. Gov. McAuliffe’s veto is very disappointing. His administration did not
speak in opposition to the bill, or offer any constructive ideas to improve it.
The legislation was introduced on January 10th, and was placed in
Conference Committee on February 23rd, so the Governor and his staff
had ample time to make suggestions. I will continue to work on preventing welfare
fraud so that taxpayer money is prioritized for those in true need.”